For those unaware, formed in 2013 as an offshoot of the Hofstra Alumni Jazz Orchestra, the Interplay Jazz Orchestra (UO) emerged from a shared desire to explore a more composer-driven vision for the modern jazz orchestra.

That same year, the ensemble redefined its identity and mission, adopting the name Interplay Jazz Orchestra to reflect its exclusive focus on music composed and arranged by members of the band. This artistic shift led directly to the recording and release of their debut album, My Love You’re Free, in 2013.

The orchestra continued to redefine its collective voice with the release of Detour in 2015 and On the Sunnyside in 2018. In the summer of 2021, UO undertook its most ambitious project to date, recording two albums simultaneously. The first of those releases, It’s Christmas Again, arrived just in time for the holidays in December 2023.

The second album from those sessions, Bite Your Tongue is the orchestra’s upcoming 2026 release and showcases the full breadth of UO’s musical range. The album spans new arrangements of classic works such as Cole Porter’s Night and Day and Victor Young’s My Foolish Heart, alongside original compositions including Chris Scarnato’s through-composed Go Figure and Joey Devassy’s Bit Your Tongue - a contrafact of Freddie Hubbard’s Red Clay and the album’s title track. Also featured is The Downside Up, Devassy’s tribute to the late, great tenor saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter.

1. The Congregation
2. Bite Your Tongue
3. Go Figure
4. My Foolish Heart
5. It’s Been a Long, Long Time
6. Strasbourg / St. Denis
7. The Downside Up
8. Night and Day
9. Blues for Adrian

Led by Joey Devassy and Gary Henderson, this brand new recording opens on the sprightly finger-snapper The Congregation and the foot-tapping delights of Bite Your Tongue and then we are brought forth the dancefloor swirls and twirls of Go Figure, the ambiently smooth My Foolish Heart, the veritable cinescape vibe of It’s Been a Long, Long Time, the decadent pairing of both Strasbourg / St. Denis and The Downside, the set rounding out on the sheer elegance of the boisterously perfect Night and Day, coming to a close on the low slung, heartwarming sounds of Blues for Adrian.

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